True Hospitality | Atlas Ellijay

There’s a quiet magic in watching the sun rise over the Southern Appalachians on a misty morning. Fog settles into the valleys, haloed by the sun’s first light, turning the mountains into islands in the sky.

Mornings like this feel in step with the atmosphere of Atlas Ellijay: a boutique collection of cabins tucked away in the North Georgia mountains. If you find yourself at one of their cabins on a morning like this, your hosts recommend cozying up on the porch with a cup of coffee and taking in the sights.

Meanwhile, owners Ben Cooper and Ted Donath start their day by tending to the goats, chickens, pigs, alpacas, ducks, and a crowd-favorite donkey that call Atlas Ellijay home.

At the Heart of Hospitality

Avid travelers themselves, Ben and Ted kept a running log of singular moments from their journeys. Owning their own cabins was a North Star for the couple, but they weren’t interested in simply adding passive income to their bank account.

They wanted to build a framework for service that mirrored their experiences around the world: one that went beyond templated check-in emails and basic coffee bars. Guests would receive the hospitality that Ben and Ted extend to their friends and loved ones. It would be a retreat where guests could be free to fully immerse themselves in whatever brought them peace. Roadblocks? Cleared. Stress? Haven’t met her.

Their dream of true hospitality began taking shape in 2023. Far from the weight of the world, Atlas Ellijay was rising.

Where Luxury Meets the Land

Atlas Ellijay is situated on 40 acres of land in an area of the county known as Yukon.

Here, you are less than ten minutes from some of the area’s most popular orchards, vineyards, farm stores, and tasting rooms. Downtown Ellijay’s dining and shopping scene is a mere 11 minutes away, and even the most remote trailheads are easily accessible.

Yukon is a rare place where the world still feels quiet. This unincorporated community is best characterized by its hilly pastures and charming farmhouses.

Though they had experienced luxury around the globe, Ben and Ted realized when they relocated in 2021 that they had landed in a corner of the world just as singular.

In 2023, the initial framing was complete on the retreat’s first cabin: Atlas A-frame. From the second-floor loft, Ben & Ted watched the sun dip over the ridgeline while horses galloped through a neighboring field. The vision they had for coupling luxurious spaces with the bucolic landscape was just within reach.

“It was pretty magical,” Ted recalls.

The Art of Crafting Moments

While Atlas welcomed its first guests in 2024, Ben and Ted are no strangers to curating the perfect moment in time. The two bring a combined 35 years of public relations experience to the table ranging from cruise lines and hotels to global travel brands. This diverse range of hospitality experience has made them well acquainted with crafting experiences that have staying power.

Ben and Ted are particularly excited when their new endeavor affords them opportunities to be part of their guests’ core memories.

One such opportunity happened when a guest proposed to his girlfriend at one of the Atlas cabins. The thoughtful hosts instinctively sent a congratulatory bottle of bubbles over to the happy couple. The couple is now looking to return to Atlas and host their wedding on the property so they can share this experience with their family and friends.

This next-level hospitality isn’t a one-off for Ted and Ben. It’s a small snapshot of the care and intention they bring to every guest experience at Atlas Ellijay. Ted reaches out before guests arrive to see if they are celebrating anything during their time in Ellijay. This extra touchpoint has resulted in the pair coordinating surprises like gifts and cakes for birthdays and arranging outdoor dinners for guests.

The Lay of the Land

Each of the three cabins at Atlas Ellijay are unique. While Hideaway sleeps just two guests, their signature A-frame sleeps four to six, and Pond House can comfortably accommodate up to eight. The amenities at each property were selected to suit the traveler groups they were designed to host. Hideaway features a sauna and grill perfect for two whereas Pond House and A-frame both include hot tubs, grills, and firepits meant for catching up and slowing down.

One of the highlights of a stay at Atlas Ellijay is catching up with the farm animals.

“We love meeting people who are excited to meet and feed the animals,” Ben shares. “People who are into animals have good energy.”

Ted and Ben arrange times for guests to meet the animals and have found that Gilbert, the resident donkey, seems to be the crowd favorite.

Ben and Ted have beautifully landscaped the property with everything from lush ferns to bright cosmos. They have even cut private walking trails that provide a woodland retreat reserved solely for their guests.

Each cabin affords guests solace and sanctuary, but the property is still accessible enough that larger groups can spread out amongst Atlas Ellijay’s cabins and walk between the three when they are looking to gather.

A True Welcome

“We want our property to feel inclusive, safe, and open to everyone whether they are travelling alone or in a group,” Ben remarks on the environment they strive to curate at Atlas Ellijay. “We would love for guests to become regulars and show us more of the unique finds they discover while they are visiting.”

The guest experience at Atlas Ellijay is a breath of fresh air. Much like the town they’ve established their business in, Ben and Ted are reminders that some strangers still act like neighbors and that you can still truly feel at peace in an unfamiliar place.

“Ellijay is an escape from the day-to-day grind and a place to reconnect with nature,” Ted shares of his community. “If that’s not your thing, there’s plenty to do in town… It offers the best of everything in a short distance.”

The Atlas Ellijay team helps connect families with kid-friendly spots and dog lovers with local places their pet will love. They pair wine lovers with the perfect local vineyard for their taste and recommend transportation services for those looking to go on a wine tour. They know all the best hiking trails and which sights on those trails can’t be missed. A stay at Atlas Ellijay embodies both the privacy of a cabin retreat and the luxury of a personal concierge should any needs arise.

The only hard decision left for guests to make is whether the porch or the firepit is the most relaxing spot on a star-lit night.

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Story By: Caitlin Neal

Photography by: Zoie Garrett Photography

Videography by: Sozo Bear Films